Inspire & Empower Connections Academy Celebrate Class of 2020

Boise, Idaho – Graduations across Idaho look different this year due to social distancing efforts, and that rings true for graduates from Inspire and Empower Connections Academy, a tuition-free, K-12 online public school. They may have to be physically apart this year; however, the school will come together to celebrate its 146 graduates in a virtual graduation ceremony on June 5 at 5:30 p.m. There will be a graduation parade to follow at 7:00 p.m. for students in the Boise metro area. There will also be a graduation parade on June 8th at 5:30 p.m. at the drive-in movie theater for students in the Idaho Falls area, and another one on June 10th at 5:30 p.m. in Coeur d’Alene. This is the largest graduating class to date, as there was a 37.7 percent increase from last year and a 97.3 percent growth from the past three years.

“Each and every one of our students have been given the skills to set out and leave a mark in this world, which is needed now more than ever. It is our honor to celebrate them and although there is so much unknown right now, we know that they will be successful in their endeavors,” said Inspire and Empower Connections Academy school leader, Karen Haines. “We are a community here at Inspire and Empower, and we strive on making memorable events for our students. I’m very pleased that we found a way to continue honoring our school’s graduates,” she added.

Among Inspire and Empower’s Class of 2020 graduates are:

• Cheyenne Scott (Moore, Idaho) – Cheyenne is an early graduate and plans to attend Brigham Young University – Idaho this fall and plans on becoming a heart surgeon. She says she doesn’t hear much about female heart surgeons and she’s determined to become one herself.
• Colton Higby (Meridian, Idaho) – Colton has been a student with Inspire since the 4th grade. He secured his Eagle Scout this year with the Boy Scouts of America. Colton plans to go to Idaho State University to study history and creative writing. He is currently working on a novel that is a scientific fantasy based on mythology.
• Hannah Chulack (Eagle, Idaho) – Hannah plans to pursue a dual degree in biology and occupational therapy. She is considering attending a two-year college given the current climate and will then transfer to Boise State.
• Logan Hensley (Garden City, Idaho) – Logan will play national U20 hockey (players are under-20 years old) after graduation and is aiming to pursue a career in the National Hockey League. He has received offers from several different schools and would like to continue developing as a hockey player. Logan has been on the ice for as long as he can remember. He has played hockey in several countries. Most recently, he played goalie for the Maniwaki Mustangs in Quebec, Canada. Unfortunately, his season was cut short due to the public health crisis.
• Parker Jones (Twin Falls, Idaho) – Parker is passionate about photography and has already started his own photography business. An avid photographer since he was nine years old, Parker has been running his business for four years. He shoots weddings, portrait sessions, and senior photos. He has shot more than twenty weddings in the last two years alone. He plans to move to Boise after graduation to continue building his photography business and to take time to travel.
• Kennidy Senkbeil (Star, Idaho) – Kennidy will attend Boise State University this fall. After taking introduction to law and criminal justice classes at Inspire, Kennidy realized that she wants to pursue a career as a paralegal. Kennidy is from an Air Force family and has lived around the world, visiting nearly every continent (except Australia and Antarctica). She is graduating early and credits her school counselor, Barbie Green, for helping her achieve this.

Inspire Connections Academy is in its 15th year providing students a flexible online learning environment and serves nearly 1,000 students in grades K-12 across the state. Empower Connections Academy is a program offered to current Inspire Connections Academy students who may benefit from alternative programming and meet Idaho’s at-risk eligibility requirements. The online learning experience can be a great fit for many types of students, including those who need increased flexibility, are ahead or behind in the classroom, who need more individualized attention, live in rural areas, those looking for a K-12 education alternative to traditional classrooms and families interested in a safe learning environment. Since it is a public school, there are no tuition costs or fees to attend.

Inspire and Empower Connections Academy’s mission is to help each student maximize their potential through a uniquely individualized online learning program. In addition to core curriculum, students have access to a wide range of courses, including engaging electives, Career Technical Education courses, and honors and Advanced Placement® (AP) course options. Inspire and Empower Connections Academy students also meet regularly in online LiveLesson® classroom sessions and have opportunities to share ideas, work one-on-one with teachers, and have fun learning with their peers. Outside of schoolwork, students make friends and socialize through field trips, online clubs and community activities.

Enrollment for the 2020-21 school year is currently open for Inspire and Empower Connections Academy. Interested families can learn more about the virtual school through a variety of information sessions in the coming months. A complete list of events is available at, visit https://www.InspireConnections... or by calling 1-800-382-6010.

About Inspire and Empower Connections Academy
Inspire Connections Academy is a tuition-free, high-quality, highly accountable statewide public online school serving students in grades K–12. Authorized as a charter school by the Idaho Charter School Commission, Inspire is accredited by the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC), an accrediting division of Cognia, formerly AdvancED. Inspire provides students with the flexibility to learn from anywhere there is an Internet connection and with an innovative online school curriculum that meets rigorous state education standards. The combination of Idaho state-certified teachers, a proven curriculum, unique electives, technology tools, and community experiences creates a supportive and successful online learning opportunity for families and children who want an individualized approach to education. Empower Connections Academy is a program offered to current Inspire Connections Academy students who may benefit from alternative programming and meet Idaho’s at-risk eligibility requirements. For more information, call 1-800-382-6010 or visit www.IdahoConnectionsAcademy.com.